BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Experience with offensive coordinator Joe Brady on the Carolina Panthers helped influence Curtis Samuel to sign with the Buffalo Bills. He also was left with a certain impression of what playing for the Bills is like after watching from afar.
"From the outside looking in, great team, you can tell they have that family bond, great coaching staff, great organization as a whole," Samuel said. "You can tell by how far they go every year and just about how they move around, how they carry themselves."
Far removed from the historic playoff-less streak that haunted the Bills, playing alongside Josh Allen and being on a team that has made five straight playoff appearances has made Buffalo an appealing destination for free agents.
Samuel has marked the flashiest free agent addition so far. As general manager Brandon Beane said at the end of the season, the Bills did not anticipate big-time signings after being more than $40 million over the salary cap.
Despite that, there's been steady movement for the Bills throughout the month, including multiple significant extensions, contact restructures, cuts and veteran signings at positions of need.
Additions have been made to both sides of the ball, and they have 11 picks in next month's draft, tied for the most of any team. But there's still much work to do.
Having a successful draft will be crucial, but making late signings isn't foreign to Buffalo either. The Bills made one of the team's best free agent signings from last year when Leonard Floyd was brought in on a one-year deal in June. A note to keep in mind is that cornerback Tre'Davious White has been designated as a post-June 1 release, which means another $10.2 million in cap space will become available.
With significant work still to come, what are nitial takeaways for the Bills and where do holes still exist?
Creating cap room
It all started for the Bills with a day that will be remembered in franchise history, March 6, with about a dozen moves made. That included the release of safety Jordan Poyer, White and center Mitch Morse, among others, while bringing back players like David Edwards, who is currently in line for the left guard role.
Since then, the Bills have begun the process of building both this year's team and securing players for the future. As part of the cap-cutting measures, various changes were made to the contracts of Allen, tight end Dawson Knox and pass-rusher Von Miller, three players that were scheduled to be amongst the highest-paid players on the team in terms of cap space, to open money for 2024.
The extensions are also big contributors, with two Bills draft picks -- left tackle Dion Dawkins and nickel corner Taron Johnson -- each signed to their second extensions with the team, both for three years. Both moves invest in players that are coming off strong seasons and are examples of the team's draft, develop and re-sign approach.
"I'm going to get better," Dawkins said. "I'm planning on more Pro Bowls, more all-pros, more all that, if we're talking about self-stuff. Like I'm planning on being the best version of myself, again, and again and again and again and again and again."
Johnson's extension was also significant as it keeps a key member of the secondary with the team, despite changes in the backfield.
Wide receiver in the first round?
The Bills made two signings at wide receiver in the first stretch of free agency -- bringing in Samuel on a three-year deal and Mack Hollins on a one-year deal, who will add depth and contribute on special teams. These moves in no way mean that the team should be or is done addressing the position.
A solid option to fill the exact role that Gabe Davis, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, held is not quite on the roster. Samuel has the ability to line up in a variety of spots, both as a receiver and rusher, but he's not a substitute for Davis. With Brady calling plays for the Panthers in 2020, Samuel had 53.1% of his receptions come from the slot and 22.5% outside. He also had a career-high in rushing with Brady.
"Really just trusting in him to put me in the right spots, the right locations to be the best playmaker I can possibly be on the field," Samuel said of being coached by Brady. "And I felt like he did a great job at that."
This will remain a hot position for the Bills to consider early in the draft, and potentially with multiple picks, especially considering this a deep receiver class.
Defensive line depth
Re-signing DaQuan Jones to a two-year contract was the most significant internal free agency signing that Buffalo could make. It gives the team continuity in the middle of the defensive line in a strong starter. More depth, however, is needed at the position with only three defensive tackles on the roster -- Jones, Ed Oliver and Eli Ankou -- and rotational and backups for both spots needed.
On the outside, the Bills re-signed AJ Epenesa to a two-year deal in a significant move and signed Casey Toohill to a one-year deal for depth, but another solid edge rusher is needed through free agency or the draft. Buffalo lost Floyd in free agency, and there are unknowns with how Miller, who continues to be investigated for allegations of assault, will perform next season.
"I think now it's just more [of flashes of his former self] and getting him in a rhythm," Beane said at the NFL combine. "It's that fine balance of like a shooter. How many shots does he need to get going? Von's a rusher, he's a shooter from there. So, what does he need to get his lather but understanding at his age, you don't want him playing 40-45 snaps either."
Beane has invested significantly in the spot through the draft.
Things to keep an eye on
The Bills have addressed positions of need with veteran talent. Need a veteran safety to add to re-signing Taylor Rapp? Sign veteran Mike Edwards to a one-year deal. The team added to the linebacker room with Nicholas Morrow. Addressing positions of need in free agency creates more flexibility in the draft, to an extent.
Safety remains a significant need and could still be addressed in multiple ways, especially for the future of a high-valued position in the defense. Depth at a variety of positions is still needed, as with many teams, but veterans at running back and offensive line would make sense as the roster is built out.
No matter what moves the Bills make over the next month, a significant draft awaits.
"We're going to need to hit this draft and we need to hit every draft," Beane said after the season. "Because we've talked about all along if you don't draft well when you get in this cap situation, then it really shows."